Patterson: Solar module size grew over 40% while structural materials shrank
Greg Patterson · Why ditching aluminum is key to securing the US solar supply chain · Jun 13, 2024 · at 9:15
Greg Patterson discusses how solar hardware engineering trends have increased module fragility amid extreme weather events.
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“The reality is the size of modules have increased over 40%. At the same time, there's been cost down efforts on both glass and frames to reduce the material And thus, the structural capabilities.”
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More from Greg Patterson
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Patterson: Module frames and glass are largest domestic content components after cells
“Well, it's material. The only thing bigger like I say, let's say we're a tie with a glass. The only thing bigger is the solar cells. And so, if you look at what is the easiest low-hanging fruit to drive a material increase it's the frame.”